Detachable clasp



June 25, 1935. RQcKE 2,005,872

DETACHABLE CLASP Filed April 28, 1.935

IN V EN TOR.

A TTORNEY BY Lad/ls Fae/re mama i 25,

'UNlTED. STAT nn'racmm CLASP Louis Book e, Brooklyn, v. Y. ApplicationApril as, 1933, Serial No. 508396 15 Claims.

adapted to be connected and disconnected by a plurality of interlockingjaw or other fastener members cooperating with a sliding cam devicemounted upon both members.

The object of the present invention is to devise improved means forrendering the two stringerscompletely separable instead of beingpermanently attached to one another as is generally the case. 1

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improvedfastening means whereby the two pieces of cloth or other material whichare connected by the fastening means can be completely separated at oneend thereof. and can then be readily refastened to each other.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improvedfastening means whereby the movement of a control member in onedirection will automatically open the said fastening means at one endthereof and whereby the movement of the said control member in theopposite direction can prevent the separation of the said fasteningmeans.

The invention consists in a fastener of the type referred to havingnovel separable connecting members at one end formed so that teeth orprojections upon one member engage correspondingly shaped eyes, socketsor notches in the other member, so that when said members are enclosedwithin the slider cam, the stringer to which one of them is fastened ismovable longitudinally in relation to the cam and to the other stringeron which such cam device remains, to permit either of the completeseparation of the stringers or of the proper positioning thereof toenable the slider to function in the usual manner for locking andunlocking the fastener.

The invention also consists in a fastener according to the precedingparagraph in which the separable connecting members are formed so thatrelative lateral movement in one direction is prevented whilelongitudinal separation is readily permitted when the connecting membersare spread apart by the slider.

The invention is therefore, an improvement in detachable clasps used atthe ends of separable fastening devices in which double holding means isprovided, in which one member of the clasp is provided with a pin at thelower end which hooks into an eye at the lower end of the other member,and the member with the pin is also provided with part thereofwhichslidesinto a socket in the other member, and in which both members arestamped aprong extending from the upper from fiat'material andsubstantially ofthe same r overall width as the separable fastenermembers.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved detachableclasp for separable fasteners in which the parts thereof are stampedfrom flat pieces of material with projections from 1 one part fittinginto sockets of. the other.

' Another object is to provide an improvement in detachable clasps forseparable fastening devices in which the interlocking parts are formedfrom the edges of the parts and within the width thereof. v

Another object is to provide a detachable clasp for separablefasteners-that is formed of comparatively thin stamped metal parts'whichwill positively hold and withstand the samestrain as g j t the fastener.r

Another object is to provide a detachable clasp for separable fastenerswhich is compact and comparatively solid so that the partscannot beflattened by a load on the sides thereof.

Another object is to provide a detachable clasp for separable fastenersin which the same parts that prevent separation thereof hold the membersthereof laterally.

Another object is to provide a detachable clasp for separable fastenerswhich may be opened and closed by the same sliding cam that operates thefasteners.

A further object is to provide a detachable clasp for separablefasteners which is neat and attractive and not bulky or objectionable inappearance.

And a still further object of the invention is to provide a detachableclasp for separable fasteners which is of a simple and economicalconstruction.

With these ends in view the invention embodies a detachable clasp forseparable fasteners comat the end of a string offasteners with the claspintheclosedp'osltion. r r

Figure 2 is a similar view looking toward the opposite side of the claspshowing that both sides thereof are substantially the same andcomparatively plain.

Figure 3 is a view showing the female member of the clasp.

Figure 4 is a view showing the male member.

Figure 5 is a view showing the clasp members together on an enlargedscale and with parts broken away showing the relative positions of theinterlocking members.

Figure 6 is a view showing the clasp members in the position of beingplaced together or separated.

Figure 'l is a similar view showing the members in the separatingposition, and showing an alternate arrangement of the parts in which theinterlocking members protrude from the edges of the clasp members.

Figure 8 is a view looking toward the rear of one of the members showingteeth alternately positioned in the edges thereof for gripping the claspmembers to stringers or material.

Figure 9 is a cross section thru the clasp members, or line 99 of Figure5 showing the upper prong and socket.

Figure 10 is a similar section on line Ill-Ill of Figure 5 showing theposition of the lower pin and eye.

It is found in the practical application of detachable clasps at theends of separable fasteners that it is impracticable and objectionableto have any parts protruding from, or of a greater width than that ofthe separable fastener members, as any parts extending beyond the limitsof the fastener members are readily detected by the wearer of a garmentupon which the fastener may be placed or used, and such parts may catchin an ironing, pressing, or other machine thru which the object may bepassed. Any parts extending beyond the limits of thefastener members arealso objectionable as they may be mashed or bent out of shape so thatthey will not fit easilyinto or out of their corresponding parts,thereby rendering the device inoperative.

It has also been found objectionable to form these clasp members fromseparate pieces of material, or to form them so that any machine work isrequired, as rivets or the like for holding the parts together workloose and the ends catch in threads of the garments, and any machinework whatever, leaves sharp edges or even burs, and also makes the costprohibitive.

It is therefore found of material advantage to form each of these twoclasp members of one continuous piece of material, and stamp all of theparts from a flat plate with the interlocking parts formed by stampingout parts from the same plate. Then again, it is found of advantage tobend these same plates around the stringers of the fasteners and provideteeth in the edges thereof which may be clinched into the material topositively grip and hold the members in place. Forming the clasp membersin this manner with a pin and prong of one member stamped from thematerial of the member at the position of the bend, and forming an eyeand a socket at the corresponding edge of the other member fromthematerlal of the member provides simple and economical constructionwhich is strong, durable and everlasting.

'flien again, the combination of the pin and eye at the lower end of themembers with the prong and socket at the upper parts provides with theseparable fastener members which, when interlocked, prevent longitudinalmovement of the clasp members in relation to each other, provides a verysimple, efllcient and positive lock for the ends of separable fasteners.

When in the closed position these clasp members may be in substantiallyan abutting position as shown in Figure 5, so that there will be verylittle movement or play between them, or with the pin and prong arrangedas shown in Figure 7 they may be slightly separated to provide clearancebetween the members. The separable fastener members may start directlyupon the upper ends of the clasp members as shown in Figures 1 and 2,however, spacing members may be used at the upper ends of the claspmembers, as shown in Figure 5. The upper ends of the clasp members mayalso be extended upward as far as desired to insure proper opening andclosing of the clasp members as the sliding opening member is movedthereon. With clasp members of this construction it is thereforepossible to provide a clasp of a very unique and compact design which isvery desirable in devices of this nature.

In the drawing the device is shown as it would be made wherein numeral Iindicates the male member of the clasp, numeral 2 the female member, andnumeral 3 the sliding cam.

The clasp is positioned at the ends of stringers l and 5, upon whichseparable fasteners 6 and I may be mounted as shown in Figure 1. Thestringers may be formed at the edges of pieces of material 8 and 9, andit will be understood that these pieces of material may be parts of agarment or of any object or device. The stringers may also be of anytype or description, may be of any shape and of any material. A slidingcam of a comparatively plain type is shown, however, it will beunderstood that any of the combination, or holding or locking cams maybe used as may be desired. The members of this clasp may also be used incombination with separable fasteners or other similar devices of anyother type or description and any number may be used in combination.

The members of the clasp are formed by being stamped from flat pieces ofmaterial and these are crimped over the ends of the stringers I and 5and their inner edges Ill and II are provided with teeth I! and II whichmay be clinched into the material at the back of the stringers as shownin Figure 8. The teeth may be alternated as shown so that the points ofone set will project into the spaces between the points of the other. Itwill be understood that any other means may be used for holding theclasp members to the stringers or material.

The male member I is made as shown in Figure 4 with a pin M extendingfrom the lower edge and a prong I 5 projecting from the upper partthereof. The point It is adapted to be held in an eye formed by anopening it in a flange l1 extending from the lower end of the femalemember 2 and the prong l5 fits into a socket ll protruding from theupper part of the member 2. These holding or looking parts of the twomembers may be formed from metal or material of the parts or may bewelded or attached thereto or formed in any manner or by any means.

The flange I! may be made as shown in Figure 3 or the edges is thereofmay extend outward as shown in Figure 10 to form stops to limit themovement of the sliding cam 3. The point,

prong, eye or socket may also be of any other shape, size or design, asmay be desired.

The pin l4 preferably extends directly downward with a slight backwardcurve as shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6, however, it may also extendoutward as shown in Figure 'l, and the prong It may also extend outwardin a similar manner in order to provide clearance between the-members ifdesired.

It will be understood that other changes may be made in the constructionwithout departing from the spirit of the invention. One of which changesmay be in the use of die'or other castings for forming the members,another may be in the use of more than one prong and socket, and stillanother may be in the use of other means for holding or mounting thepoint, prong, eye or socket on the lower ends of the stringers orseparable fasteners.

The construction will be readily understood from the foregoingdescription. In use the clasp may be mounted on the lower ends of thestringers of separable fasteners as shown and described and whenassembling the fasteners the cam 3 will be moved to the end of thestringer 4 until it engages the flange l1 and then the member i may beplaced into the cam as shown in Figure '7 so that the point It will passinto the opening l6 and at the same time the prong i will extend intothe socket i8. Then as the cam is moved away from the clasp theseparable fasteners will be closed and the ends will be positivelylocked by the clasp. The pin ll holding in the flange l1 and the pronginthe socket l8 provide double locking means which positively lock the twomembers together and prevent them being pulled apart or moving laterallyor sidewise in relation to each other. As the holding parts are formedfrom the material of and within the limits of the members a very uniqueand solid construction is made possible and this is extremely simple andinexpensive. The clasp may also be hammered and subjected toconsiderable abuse without danger of damaging any of the parts.

It will be observed from this description and drawing and also from acomparison of this device with many other clasps, looks. or fastenersadapted for this purpose, that in all such devices, it is desired tohave a pin and socket or eye of some form for locking or holding thelower ends of the clasp members, and some form of a prong and socket orinterlocking parts for holding the upper parts of these members, andwhen both sets of the holding parts cooperate to prevent lateral,transverse, or sidewise separation of the members, and when they may bestamped from plate stock with each part formed completely from one pieceof material with no machine work, welding, soldering, or attaching orfitting of the parts, or when these parts are formed so that no parts orpieces extend beyond the limits of the parts themselves, or the width ofthe fasteners, and when in view of these advantages in the details ofconstruction a positive lock is provided that cannot separate with thefasteners in the closed position, or until they are opened by thesliding cam or opening member, an ideal design of detachable clasp hasbeen developed for separable fasteners or the like.

The terms "lateral or transverse separation of the clasp members areunderstood to mean separation of the members in a plane passing thru thecenters of both of the stringers or the plane of material attached tothe stringers in which case the clasp members would move directly awayfrom or toward each other with the parts held in operating position, andlongitudinal movement of the members would indicate move: ment of thestringers in the same plane and with the axes of the stringers paralleland remaining substantially the same distance apart.

Having thus fully described the invention what I claim as new and desireto secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a clasp forseparable fasteners of the type wherein a plurality ofmetallic fastening means are permanently secured upon a pair of flexiblestringers and a sliding cam is provided for locking or unlocking 'saidfasteners; male and female members having abutting edges adapted to becrimped on the ends of said stringers, a pin extending downward from oneend of the male member, a laterally positioned eye adapted to receivesaid pin extending from the female member, a prong projecting outwardand extending downward from the male member forming a hook, and a socketclosed at the front and open at the upper end protruding from saidfemale member adapted to receive said prong, said parts adapted todisengage and interengage with longitudinal movement of one in relationto the other.

2. A clasp as described in claim 1 in which the said holding parts areformed in the abutting edges of said members. I

3. A clasp as described in claim 1 in which the members are stamped fromflat pieces of material.

4. A clasp as described in claim 1 in which one of said members isprovided with a stop to limit the movement of the sliding cam on saidfasteners.

5. A detachable clasp for separable fasteners comprising two U shapedpieces of material adapted to be crimped over stringers of thefasteners, one of said U shaped pieces having two prongs, one of saidprongs being pin shaped and the other hook shaped, said prongs extendingfrom the back ofsaid U shaped piece, and the other U shaped piece havingan eye and a socket extending from the back thereof, said eye and socketon one U shaped piece being substantially aligned and positioned toreceive the pin and hook shaped prongs of the other U shaped piecerespectively, with longitudinal movement of the members along the axisof the closure, forming terminal locking means therefor.

6. An end closure for two strips having interlocking fasteners onadjacent edges adapted to be engaged and disengaged by movement of aslider over said fasteners, said end closure comprising an end enteringmember secured to one strip adjacent to the end of one row of fastenersand an end entered member on the strip, said end entered member having aclosed socket open at one end and said end entering member having a hookshaped prong adapted to slide into said socket from the open end thereofforming interengaging means for fastening them together and preventinglateral separation thereof positioned at the upper parts of said membersand formed from the material from the abutting edges of said members,and an immovable lateral projection extending from one of the said endmembers and adapted to aid in positioning the interlocking fasteners onone strip with those on the other strip before they can be properlyinterlocked.

7. A separable fastening device of the type wherein a plurality ofmetallic fasteners are permanently secured upon a pair of flexiblestringers and a sliding cam device, having a central channel anddiverging channels extending from and communicating with said centralchannel, is pro vided for locking and unlocking said metallic fasteners,characterized by a clasp member secured to an end of each stringer, saidclasp members provided with abutting edges, the abutting edge of one ofsaid clasp members having an eye protruding from the lower end and alsohaving a closed socket open at one end approximately intermediate of thelength thereof, and the abutting edge of the other of said clasp membershaving an inwardly curved pin corre sponding with the eye, and a prongextending lengthwise thereof and spaced apart therefrom correspondingwith the closed socket of the other of said clasp members, both pinandprong entering said eye and socket respectively with longitudinalmovement and preventing lateral separation of said clasp members.

8. In a detachable clasp for separable fasteners as described in claim7, a lateral extension on the eye of one of said clasp members to limitthe movement of said sliding cam device to insure proper positioning ofthe separable fasteners and clasp members. 9. A detachable clasp asdescribed in claim 7 in which the members thereof open and close by asliding parallel movement in relation to the fastening device.

10. A fastening for a pair of flexible strips, comprising sheet metalmembers clamped about the ends of said flexible strips, one of saidmembers having a finger extending downward therefrom at the lower endthereof and also having an extending hook adjacent the upper endthereof, and the other of said members having means receiving saidfinger and a closed socket open at the end for receiving said hook inwhich both the finger and hook are adapted to lock said members againstlateral separation.

11. A fastening as described in claim 10 in which one of said membershas a lateral projection at the lower end thereof.

12. A fastening as described in claim 10 in which the interlocking partsopen and close by longitudinal movement of said flexible strips.

13. In combination, oppoud stringers having two series of separablefastening devices secured thereto, male and female members atached tothe stringers at the ends thereof, a sliding cam adapted to open andclose said separable fastening devices and said male and female members,a downwardly extending pin at the end of said male member, a prongadjacent the upper end of said male member and extending outward anddownward, a projection at the lower end of said female member having aneye therein to receive the pin, and a socket closed at the front andopen at the upper end adjacent the upper end of the female memberadapted to receive the prong of the male member.

14. A device as described in claim 13 in which the male and femalemembers are stamped from sheet metal and the holding parts stamped fromthe metal thereof.

15. A device as described in claim 13 in which the projection at thelower end of the female member forms a stop to align the two members andlimit the movement of the sliding cam.

Louis ROCKE.

